Common Flammable Household Liquids

5/25/2020 (Permalink)

You may be aware that there is an abundance of combustible liquids in our homes but you may not know that more than 43,000 home fires are caused by these everyday items each year, resulting in 200 deaths, 2,500 injuries and $469 million in property damage. Here are some of the most common flammable liquids you probably have in your home.

Do not panic – there is little chance you will set your house on fire with these items as long as proper precautions are followed.

Nail Polish Remover

This every day liquid used by most women is composed of a highly flammable liquid: acetone. A woman in Cypress, Texas was burned when a nearby candle ignited her nail polish remover.

However, this is a rare occurrence. Be mindful of having open flames nearby while doing your nails.

Rubbing Alcohol

We all have a bottle of rubbing alcohol in our medicine cabinets and we do not see this item as hazardous. If rubbing alcohol is used correctly it poses no harm to you our your house although it is very flammable and vaporizes quickly. Although some have used rubbing alcohol to kill bedbugs by pouring it over the affected fabrics, this is not a good idea! The alcohol then can easily catch fire, especially once placed into the washer or dryer.

Gasoline, Paint thinner & Turpentine

While it is a good idea to store gasoline in case of an emergency it must be stored properly to avoid fire hazards, along with paint thinner or turpentine.

Approximately 8,000 home fires are started annually due to the improper storage of these flammable materials. Gasoline needs to be stored in an UL-approved container at room temperature away from any heat sources such as a water heater or furnace. Paint thinners and turpentine should be in a tightly sealed container away from heat source.

Lighter Fluid

Most grill masters are aware of the dangers of lighter fluids and take safety precautions to maintain a controlled burn for the perfect burgers or ribs. So shouldn’t you do the same while storing these items?

Aerosol Cans

It’s common knowledge that aerosol cans contain flammable propellant. As seen in many movies, a flame mixed with any common aerosol can be turned into a weapon. While this is an exaggeration, it is unwise to leave any aerosol cans near an open flame or in an area where they can overheat, which can lead to the can exploding.